It emerged later that Saldanha had made two previous suicide attempts in the 12 months before her death.

There was speculation that Greig and Christian could face charges relating to the incident because of consent not being sought from the hospital to broadcast the tape. Advertisers shunned the station for a while.

Bosses at the hospital attacked the radio station. Chairman Lord Glenarthur told station owners by letter: "King Edward VII's Hospital cares for sick people and it was extremely foolish of your presenters even to consider trying to lie their way through to one of our patients, let alone actually make the call."

It emerged later that hospital managers were criticised by Saldanha in one of her suicide notes.